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2026 Subaru Crosstrek ReviewClassic Meets Modern: Look Inside This ’66 Chevy Nova SS
Learn all about this resto-modded 1966 Chevy Nova SS with 430+ hp, modern upgrades, and classic muscle car appeal.
A Golden Era Chevy
In the early 1960s, the Detroit muscle car wars were heating up with icons like the Chevy Chevelle, Ford Mustang, and Plymouth Road Runner. This was also an era packed with lesser known, but equally excellent models from the Big Three.
The Chevy Nova arrived in 1962 as a direct competitor to the compact Ford Falcon. By no means was the stock Nova a powerhouse with a thrifty four-cylinder engine making just 90 horsepower. It would continue production over five generations into the late 1980s.
Not Just Another Nova
In 1965, Chevrolet would drop a righteous 327 cubic inch, 350-horse Turbo-Fire V8 from the Chevelle into the Nova. Thus, an under-the-radar muscle car legend – that would be right at home on any list of the best Chevy’s ever made – was born. And with today’s cool car find, you have an opportunity to discover what made these classic Chevys so impressive.
Today, the Nova moniker is used interchangeably with Chevy II. Technically, however, Chevy II was the original 1962 nameplate with the Nova 400 as the range-topping trim line. It wasn’t until 1969 that the Detroit automaker dropped the Chevy II name and made it the standalone Nova. So, when the second-generation lineup landed in 1966, the Chevy II Nova Super Sport (SS), which is the basis of the car for sale we’re looking at, was top dog.
What is the Nova Super Sport?
In its day, it would have cost you an extra $159 to move from a Nova 400 into the SS variant, which brought wider rocker panels, bright aluminum trim, special emblems, and, of course, a bigger engine. Base Chevy II 100-series models made do with a 153 ci four-cylinder, but the SS came standard with a 194 ci straight-6, as there were economy cars first.
However, ticking the SS box unlocked access to the rest of the Chevy II powertrains for 1966, including that Chevelle engine. Dubbed L79, this 327 ci Turbo-Fire V8 features an 11.0:1 compression ratio, forged pistons, a special camshaft grind, high-flow cylinder heads, and a 4-barrel carburetor. It was rated for 350 horsepower out of the box, a significant increase over the 275 hp found in standard 327 V8s.
Unlike the rest of the Chevy II lineup that offered a Powerglide automatic, the L79 could only be paired with a 3- or 4-speed manual transmission. For a car that only weighed about 3,000 pounds, it’s easy to imagine how riotous this setup would have been. Fast forward to present day and you can find out in-real-life with our ’66 Nova Super Sport example – boasting a bit more power of course.
This Restomod Adds More Muscle
The 350 ci ZZ4 V8 crate motor in today’s cool car find has been tuned to generate 430+ horsepower. It features a carburetor, cylinder heads, and intake manifold from Edelbrock along with MSD 6AL ignition, Sanderson headers, and a Champion 3-core aluminum radiator. Other aftermarket goodies include a Pypes Street Pro stainless-steel exhaust system, Heidt’s Mustang II-style front clip, and a full vehicle rewire using an American Autowire kit.
A Tremec T56 6-speed manual routes power to the rear wheels through a 12-bolt rear-end with 3.55 Richmond gears and an Eaton Posi limited-slip differential. To suggest this modernized 1966 Nova Super Sport is a beast would be an understatement.
Cosmetic upgrades include a deep orange finish that carries over to the cabin with a color-coordinated dash and black leather upholstery with orange stitching. 18” Foose chrome wheels, Dakota Digital gauges, and four-corner slotted and cross-drilled brakes round out the tremendous array of work that has been done to restore this vintage Chevy to its former glory – and then some.
With less than 5,000 miles on the motor since completion, this resto-modded 1966 Chevy Nova Super Sport would be equally at home in a serious collection as it would be burning up the drag strip with an American muscle car enthusiast behind the wheel.
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